When someone asks us why we chose to move somewhere or take a different job, we find there is not always a direct answer. There are usually dozens of various reasons why we make the choices we do, but sometimes, perhaps there is no reason at all, we just act on impulse or something inside of us told us this was the course for us. In Tracks, something inside Robyn Davidson told her she needed to walk almost 2,000 miles alone through the Australian desert with just a dog and four camels for company. She gave no specific reason for the arduous trek, just that it was something she needed to do. Robyn (Mia Wasikowska, 2013's Stoker) made her trek in 1977 and Tracks is based on the ensuring National Geographic article and her world famous 1980 book based on her experiences. The real Robyn was never opposed to a film version but she would not sign over the rights to Hollywood; she wanted an Australian film which is what she got. Australian producers secured the rights, signed Australian director John Curran, and cast Australian actress Mia Wasikowska as Robyn. The only non-Australian element in the film is American Adam Driver as the National Geographic photographer Rick Smolan who pops up every now and again to document Robyn’s progress for the magazine.

Robyn’s story is one of a very impressive and unlikely feat. She spends two years in Alice Springs, Australia learning how to train and handle camels who would be her lifeline on her way toward the Indian Ocean. Robyn is not a people person; in fact, the word misanthrope describes what end of the social spectrum she prefers. Robyn is definitely a dog and camel person. Her loyal dog Diggity accompanies Robyn and is probably the second most filmed character in the film. Another supporting character is the landscape itself.

Director of Photography Mandy Walker chose to shoot on 35mm film, an extremely rare choice in today’s digital climate. Walker states film is the most effective medium to show the dynamic range and color rendition of the empty desert. Her hundreds of wide shots show the emptiness and harsh solitude of Robyn's experiences. At times, Robyn and her animal coterie are the only living beings for what seems like forever, other than the snakes and rogue camels she encounters.

Robyn’s antithesis is Rick Smolan (Driver, 2014's What If). Since National Geographic funds Robyn’s trip, a requirement is for one of their photographer’s to check in with her every month or so and take some pictures for an article they will publish after her journey. Rick talks. He talks just to talk. He talks about nothing. His chatter is worse than rush hour honking traffic to Robyn who is used to only the sound of the wind, grunting camels, and crickets. Tracks is a quiet and deliberately paced film so when Rick makes one of his periodic check-ins, the atmosphere shifs and the mood changes.

The audience will welcome the energy Rick provides. Observing Robyn in her steadfast solo trek is hypnotic, but the filmmakers are so adept at showing us how long and tedious the journey is it edges on boredom. I appreciate Robyn’s fortitude and her ability to endure some of the harshest conditions on Planet Earth, but it does not make for the most interesting movie theater experience. Tracks is a very visual story with the minimum amount of dialogue. Director John Curran must incorporate landscapes and animals in ways most filmmakers do not have to consider. He is most effective when he shifts from those wide shots into closeups on Robyn to show us her anguish and at times utter despair.

Robyn’s journey is one which most likely can never be repeated. In an age of cell phones and Google Maps, a person can no longer get as purposefully lost as she did. Almost 40 years ago, Robyn still encountered roving bands of gouche tourists begging for the inane snapshot. Tracks feels like the female-centered version of Into the Wild (2007). Fans of that version of self discovery will be the prime audience here and anyone who is an avid outdoorsman or roots for the triumph of the self against impossible odds should see it. For the rest of us, Tracks can feel quite burdensome at times and feel as long as Robyn’s nine month trek.